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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Gourmet Chef

My husband is a gourmet chef. In our seven year relationship (thus far) he has shown me amazing delicacies that I otherwise never would've known. He is Turkish and it seems Turkish Cuisine is among  the undiscovered wonders by the rest of the world. If you taste this (and you should) I swear it will not disappoint!

This Quince Dessert (Ayva Talisi) is one of the best sweet treats I've ever tasted!


A quince is a sort of pear. It's a bit squattier and much more cloying when eaten raw than a pear is but when poached in a simple syrup and served chilled garnished with Kaymak (the Turkish version of Mascarpone) it is divinity. Photo Source



Ingredients:

3 Quinces halved and cored (reserve the seeds)
2 C sugar
6 whole cloves
1/2 C - 1 C water

Directions:

Place the quince core side up in a pan
cover with sugar
put the seeds in the bottom of the pan (this gives the stunning color)
add the cloves too (optional - my husband doesn't use them)
add the water 
cover and simmer checking often so as not to burn them

To serve (pictured above):
Place half a quince core side up in the middle of a plate
drizzle some of the pan syrup over the quince
add a generous dollop of Kaymak (if you cannot find Kaymak, 
Mascarpone is an acceptable substitute)

4 comments :

  1. Hi Gwen! I've just read your lovely comment on my blog so here I am! Isn't blogging wonderful? So you have a Turkish husband too and a chef to boot!!!! Wow! Your picture is excellent. Can you get ayva easily where you are? You asked about cloves: I love their taste but it is hard to describe - very Christmassy perhaps!! Cheers!

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  2. Hey lady, how long do you simmer them? - Alisha the twin

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  3. Hi Gwen~

    I've never heard of this dessert, it looks delicous! Definitely adding it to my "must try" list.

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    1. Hey Girl! Thanks for visiting. I love your blog! Hope all is well, Happy Valentines Day!

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